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On the Bright Side: 2023 MLB Draft


1984Echoes

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Found this... (our potential lottery tickets for next year):

https://baseballprospectjournal.com/2023-mlb-draft-top-10-pick-mock-draft/

(I killed the team names since those will change anyways...):

1. Dylan Crews, OF, LSU

Crews has a powerful right-handed swing that produces elite exit velocities and uses the entire field. He hits for average and power while possessing respectable plate discipline. 

Crews has the skillset to remain in center field. He has above-average speed and arm strength. He also has quality instincts that allow him to make all the necessary plays in the field.

Crews is the complete package. The 6-foot, 203-pound outfielder has five-tool potential with the ability to move through a minor-league system quickly. 

2. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi 

Gonzalez has made a tremendous impact offensively in his first two years at Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitter is a well-rounded offensive player. He has notable bat-to-ball skills and hits for average and power to all fields. He also has tremendous plate discipline, as he has more walks (88) than strikeouts (66) at Ole Miss.

Defensively, Gonzalez is athletic and possesses above-average arm strength. He has good instincts and will remain at shortstop long term.

3. Max Clark, OF, Franklin (Ind.) Community HS

Clark is the best prep player in the 2023 MLB draft class. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound outfielder features a well-rounded toolset with the potential to be a five-tool player in pro ball.

Clark has a smooth left-handed swing with above-average bat speed that allows him to hit line drives to all parts of the field consistently. He has strong plate discipline and doesn’t swing and miss often. Defensively, the center fielder is an elite athlete with good instincts, moves well from gap to gap and boasts above-average arm strength.

4. Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee

Dollander is the top college arm in the 2023 MLB draft class. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound right-handed pitcher boasts a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph. He throws from a repeatable delivery and mixes in three secondary pitches, including a high-80s slider. 

Dollander generates a lot of swings and misses with his fastball. He isn’t afraid to challenge hitters and possesses quality command and control of his pitches. 

5. Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick (N.C.) HS

Jenkins isn’t too far behind Clark, with some scouts ranking Jenkins as the top prep prospect in the 2023 draft. Jenkins is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with an exciting ability to hit for average and power. He consistently barrels up pitches and does an excellent job using the opposite field. He also has strong plate discipline.

Defensively, Jenkins has all the attributes to remain in center field. He is athletic and displays strong instincts. He also has above-average arm strength.

6. Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt

Bradfield possesses elite speed and projects as a quality top-of-the-order hitter in the pro ranks. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitter has a contact-oriented approach, a strong understanding of the strike zone, and a proven ability to create disruption on the bases.

He is a well-regarded defensive center fielder who will remain at the position in pro ball. He runs quality routes and covers a lot of ground due to his speed. 

7. Dylan Cupp, SS, Cedartown (Ga.) HS

Cupp is the top prep infielder in the 2023 MLB draft class. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound shortstop has an advanced toolset with the skills to remain at shortstop long term.

Offensively, the right-handed hitter has notable bat speed and a strong understanding of the strike zone. He consistently squares up the baseball and uses the entire field. He flashes quality power potential.

Defensively, Cupp has the arm strength, athleticism, lateral movement and instincts to play shortstop in pro ball.

8. Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas

Witt is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. When healthy, Witt has the exciting combination of size and pitch mix to make him the top pitching prospect in the 2023 draft.

Witt is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound righty who primarily relies on a low-to-mid-90s fastball, which features movement, and a 12-to-6 curveball. He mixes in a changeup and slider. He attacks the strike zone and features quality control and command of his pitches.

9. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner (Pa.) HS

McGonigle has performed well this year, especially recently in the PDP League. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound shortstop is a left-handed hitter who consistently has quality at-bats and hits the ball hard. He has a mature approach and strong plate discipline.

Defensively, McGonigle has strong instincts and defensive actions. He is athletic and has respectable arm strength. Some scouts believe McGonigle profiles better at second base long term.

10. Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest

Wilken is a big-time power hitter who uses all parts of the field. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-handed hitter is more of a power over average hitter and is aggressive every time he steps to the plate. His approach sometimes leads to strikeouts, as he has recorded 107 strikeouts to 57 walks in two seasons at Wake Forest. 

Defensively, Wilken is an adequate defender and will play third base in pro ball due to his strong arm.

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Title: "Who do you WANT?!"

Prologue: "Names that Detroit Tiger fans will becoming familiar with over the next twelve months".

Main Characters:

Dylan Crews - Deluxe Outfielder

Jacob Gonzalez - Supreme Shortstop

Max Clark - Superb Outfielder

Chase Dollander - Essential Ace

Walker Jenkins - Powerful Outfielder

Enrique Bradfield Jr. - Exciting Outfielder

Dylan Cupp - Quality Shortstop

Tanner Witt - Very Good Pitcher

Kevin McGonigle - Consolation Shortstop

Brock Wilken - Rey Rivera 3rd Baseman

 

Plot: "How do we FIX these Tigers?!"

Mystery: "WHO murdered Al Avila?!"

Conclusion to this mystery: To be Determined!!!

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Unfortunately, none of this matters if the organization can’t develop these kids to be productive at the major league level. Al has proven you can consistently be awarded top tier draft picks and still fall flat on your face. The problem isn’t the draft picks, it’s where they end up after they join the organization. 

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33 minutes ago, 1776 said:

Unfortunately, none of this matters if the organization can’t develop these kids to be productive at the major league level. Al has proven you can consistently be awarded top tier draft picks and still fall flat on your face. The problem isn’t the draft picks, it’s where they end up after they join the organization. 

The only thing here is that the story is only at the second chapter for Tork/ Greene/ Mize/ Manning/ Baddoo/ Skubal etc... and not even the first chapter on a host of other up and coming prospects.

So yes, they've fallen flat on their face this year.

But that's NOT the end of the story for those guys....

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8 minutes ago, RandyMarsh said:

So is "lose for Crews" this years catch phrase?

Probably.

But I like the first 7 guys, and the top 3 guys the best (of course)... so I feel a little more flexible than in years' past...

But Lose for Crews (and let's have some Lotto Luck) would seem to work.

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Too soon? Naaaa.... Tigers will have a top 3 pick (hopefully)! 

Hah, Hey look! A player from LSU who could go #1!!! We LOVE LSU!

https://www.oddschecker.com/us/insight/baseball/mlb/20220803-2023-mlb-mock-draft-ranking-the-top-30-2023-mlb-draft-prospects

https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects

Edited by AlaskanTigersFan
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4 hours ago, RandyMarsh said:

I wonder if we will get a comp balance A pick this year? I know we got one 2 years ago and this past draft we had a B pick  so if they alternate years we should be in line to get one. 

Yes. It alternates every year, but I'm operating under the assumption the Tigers are revenue sharing recipients this year.

Edit*: Operating under the assumption the Tigers are a bottom 10 revenue team, which makes them eligible for that pick.

Edited by Edman85
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